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fauxgypsy · 02-20-2009, 09:05 PM

I think this is a great discussion. I am going to bump it up.

I have several things that I would have done differently.

I would choose my doctors much more carefully.

I would not have let fear rush me. My surgeon told me that the lump had grown between the mammogram and the lumpectomy and urged me to act quickly. He did his best to scare me.

When my first oncologist discounted my doubts and said that we didn't need a biopsy of my liver, I would have gotten a second opinion.

I would have had a breast specialist do my mastectomy and not a general surgeon.

I would have filed for disability immediately instead of being so damned independent. It would've given me time to heal instead of worrying so much about my business.

I hope I have learned from this. I hope this helps someone. Don't let fear affect your choices.

Leslie

Leslie

02-20-2009, 09:05 PM	#35
fauxgypsy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 600	I think this is a great discussion. I am going to bump it up. I have several things that I would have done differently. I would choose my doctors much more carefully. I would not have let fear rush me. My surgeon told me that the lump had grown between the mammogram and the lumpectomy and urged me to act quickly. He did his best to scare me. When my first oncologist discounted my doubts and said that we didn't need a biopsy of my liver, I would have gotten a second opinion. I would have had a breast specialist do my mastectomy and not a general surgeon. I would have filed for disability immediately instead of being so damned independent. It would've given me time to heal instead of worrying so much about my business. I hope I have learned from this. I hope this helps someone. Don't let fear affect your choices. Leslie Leslie __________________ In the world of destiny, there are no statistics. Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3 February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy. March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy, June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative August 7th - Brain MRI-negative August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07 July 2008-Finished Herceptin!